MOGMRAnderson
RUFUS E. ANDERSON 1833-1909
Grand Master, 1873-1874
BIOGRAPHY
From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Note: This biography was written when Brother Anderson was still alive. He died in 1909 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra, Missouri.
Most Worshipkul Brother Rufus K. Anderson is recorded as a representative and Senior Warden of Palmyra Lodge No. 18 at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in 1861. Brother Anderson was at once recognized. He was placed on important committees, and was appointed Grand Orator in 1863 and again in 1864. His election to the office of Junior Grand Warden followed in 1865; Senior Grand Warden in 1866; Deputy Grand Master in 1868, 1870 and 1871; Most Worshipful Grand Master in 1873. He was succeeded at the expiration of his term as Grand Master in 1874 by Brother John W. Luke.
Brother Anderson is a native of Missouri, born in Palmyra, Marion County, January 22, 1833. He removed to Hannibal in 1877, where he has since resided. He has been engaged in the practice of law all his life.
He was made a Mason in Palmyra Lodge No. 18, at Palmyra, Missouri, in 1859, and was Worshipful Master in 1862. He received the Capitular degrees in Palmyra Royal Arch Chapter No. 2 at Palmyra, in 1863; was elected Excellent High Priest in 1867, and re-elected each year for ten years until he changed his residence to Hannibal. He was elected High Priest of Hannibal R. A. Chapter No. 7, and was re-elected many times. In the Grand Chapter he was elected Grand Royal Arch Captain in 1863; Grand King in 1865 and again in 1866; Deputy Grand High Priest in 1867; re-elected in 1868 and again in 1873. He was elected Most Excellent Grand High Priest in 1874. He was Deputy Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Missouri in 1882.
He is also a 32° Scottish Rite Mason. He has served as Director of the Masonic Home since its inauguration.
